Chapter 16 : Verdant Rock Serpent
The verdant rock serpent lifted its massive head above the water.
Its beautiful green scales glistening under the sunlight.
Its amber eyes scanned the surroundings with precision, searching for intruders.
The air around the river seemed to still as the creature's piercing gaze swept across the forest.
After a tense moment, the serpent lowered itself back into the river, slipping beneath the surface and leaving ripples in its wake.
It wanted nothing more than to finish its transformation in peace, undisturbed by the outside world.
Guarding the riverbank, dozens of rock turtles huddled close together, their stone-like shells blending with the rocky terrain.
Each one stood like an unyielding fortress, determined to protect the serpent while it evolved.
They were guardians, shields of flesh and rock, willing to crush anything or anyone that dared disturb their duty.
From a distance, hidden among the trees, Axton watched the scene unfold.
His lips curled upward slightly, his eyes narrowing as a new possibility took root in his mind.
'There it is… a chance.'
The turtles had gathered so closely together that their numbers almost worked against them.
Their heavy, clumsy bodies clustered around the river made them vulnerable to someone fast enough to weave in and out of their ranks.
Axton realized he didn't have to kill them outright.
He only needed to keep them alive long enough to trigger the overwhelming power of his talent.
'If I fight them without finishing them off, I can stack Battle God. With their numbers… my power will skyrocket.'
The surface of the river rippled as the serpent disappeared beneath it again.
Once the water stilled, Axton tightened the grip on his Flash Sword, equipped his Speed Boots firmly into place, and leapt into action.
*Swoosh*
In a blur, Axton darted forward.
The first turtle in his path barely had time to react before…
*Shing*
The sword's blade glowed as it sliced downward, striking the creature's shell.
*Clang*
Sparks flew.
The strike landed clean, forcing the turtle's HP bar to dip despite its use of Rock Shell.
The turtle groaned, swiveling around with surprising speed.
Its eyes locked onto Axton, its heavy body lowering in preparation.
[Turtle Charge]
With a rumbling roar, the turtle lunged forward, and the others followed suit, the ground trembling beneath the stampede.
Even a single hit from one of them would've been enough to crush weaker players into paste.
Axton, however, was no ordinary player.
[Flash Step]
He vanished from their path, reappearing above them in an instant.
*Step* *Step*
Feet light as feathers, he used their shells like stepping stones, leaping from one turtle to the next.
The turtles below snapped angrily, but all they could do was shuffle clumsily in irritation.
And then…
*Ding*
A crisp sound echoed in his head.
[Battle God talent activated!]
[Enemies detected : 112]
[Your attack power has increased by +112 points]
Axton's veins thrummed with new power.
His blade felt lighter, sharper, deadlier.
He grinned as energy coursed through his body.
"Perfect."
He kept moving, refusing to strike lethally just yet.
The turtles were his fuel, and until the serpent appeared, he wouldn't waste them.
The river erupted again.
*Whoosh*
A massive splash drenched the riverbank as more turtles hurled themselves from the water, responding to the chaos.
They crashed down around Axton, their shadows blotting out the light for a moment.
Instead of panic, a wild grin spread across his face.
More enemies… more strength.
He ducked and slithering between them.
Their clumsy movements only favoured Axton in frustrating them further.
And then the water stirred once more.
This time, it wasn't turtles.
******
*Hissss*
A loud hiss split the air.
The Verdant Rock Serpent burst from the river, its enormous body unfurling.
Green scales shone, covered in jagged stone-like ridges that caught the light.
Its serpentine form stretched several meters high, blocking out the sun as water ran from its coiled body.
Finally, the beast had shown itself.
Axton's eyes lit up.
"Finally… we can finish this."
But before he could even advance, the serpent struck.
[Whipping Tail]
"Shit!"
The serpent's tail swung with terrifying speed, cutting through the air like a blade.
For the tiniest instant, Axton froze.
He hadn't expected the monster to attack immediately after surfacing.
Instinct screamed at him.
*Bang*
His Flash Sword clashed against the massive tail, the force of the impact sending shockwaves through the ground.
Despite his enhanced power, Axton was blasted backward, flying several meters before he dug his boots into the earth.
-20 HP!
"Tch… damn it!"
He spat to the side, eyes narrowing.
The snake hardened its body.
The serpent had activated [Rock Shell], turning its tail into a stone club.
Its intent was clear.
This wasn't just a fight.
The serpent wanted to kill the player.
*Ding*
[More enemies detected!]
[Total enemies : 231]
[Your attack power has increased by +231]
Axton steadied his breathing, exhaling slowly as raw strength surged through his limbs.
The serpent's eyes locked onto him, fangs sharpened for a strike.
Its tail rattled violently against the ground, kicking up rocks and dirt.
The atmosphere shifted.
Both predator and prey recognized the other as a true threat.
*Hissss*
But before the serpent could fully harden its body, Axton moved.
He vanished.
Using the combined effects of [Flash Step], [Flash Sword Attack], and [Pierce], Axton's speed blurred past mortal eyes.
His sword shone like a streak of light as it carved through the serpent's defenses.
*Crack*
The serpent's scales shattered, fragments scattering as the blade tore through its stone armor.
Its massive head recoiled… then separated entirely.
But Axton didn't stop.
His sword slashed across its underbelly in one fluid motion, ripping a line upward.
Flesh, scale, and stone split apart as he cleaved through the serpent from stomach to jaw.
The beast writhed violently, its severed head crashing to the ground, body thrashing before collapsing in defeat.
Axton landed lightly, his blade dripping with the serpent's blood.
For a moment, there was silence.
The turtles froze, their protective instincts shattered.
Their leader, the one they were born to defend, had been slain before their very eyes.
*Ding*
The familiar chime of victory echoed in his ears.
[Congratulations!]
[You have defeated a Grade 3, Level 10 Beast: Verdant Rock Serpent]
[You have gained the following rewards]
[+20 EXP]
[+1 Grade 1 Shadow Blade]
[+1 Grade 5 Silver Glittering Serpent Egg]
Axton exhaled, relaxing at last.